Burrows asks rivals to defect to UUP - saying unionism faces defining moment after decades of 'strategic gaffes and crocodile moments'
Jon Burrows has made a “big, broad offer” to unionists to join him – saying he is building a new team to lead unionism after two decades which have included “strategic gaffes and crocodile moments that have galvanised Sinn Féin”.
The Ulster Unionist Party boss has repeated his assertion that the pro-Union movement hasn’t been “particularly well led” under the DUP, making an open pitch for his rivals’ to jump ship.
It comes as the DUP leader has criticised a “willingness to cause discord within the wider unionist community” after a poll showed that loyalist activist Jamie Bryson was more popular with unionist voters.
Mr Robinson said a “Bryson bounce” was “not in the interests of Northern Ireland” and claimed the DUP is united in its response to the Drumcree dispute.
It comes amid growing divisions within unionism, exacerbated by the parading controversy and the political fallout from it.
The unionist parties are divided on how to respond to Sinn Féin’s decision to take part in a protest on the Garvaghy Road which blocked Orangemen from completing the parade.
The UUP does not support collapsing the Executive, while the TUV wants the DUP to remove the First Minister from office. Gavin Robinson’s party has opted to keep the first ministers in place, while blocking joint engagements.
Recent polling has put the UUP just ahead of Gavin Robinson’s party, which is neck and neck with Jim Allister’s TUV.
Sinn Féin remains on track to be the biggest party at the next election. A recent DUP call for unionist unity has largely been rebuffed by the other parties, who view it as an attempt by the DUP to shore up its own support.
Now, Mr Burrows has made what he’s called a “big, broad offer” to unionists across Northern Ireland to join his party – saying the offer includes elected representatives from other unionist parties.
“The Ulster Unionist Party is building a new team to lead unionism in the next chapter of our journey. This morning I want to make a big, broad offer to the unionist community at large, and to unionist politicians from other parties, that they should look to join us.
“This is a defining moment in unionism. I don’t think unionism has been particularly well led over the last two decades. There have been strategic gaffes and crocodile moments that have galvanised Sinn Féin, who I’m afraid are laughing at some of the errors unionism has made. We now need change.
“The Ulster Unionist Party is already showing what that change looks like in government. Robbie Butler is doing tremendous work as Health Minister. He is lowering the bowel cancer screening age towards 50, has delivered a 24/7 thrombectomy service for stroke patients and has invested £1.95 million in endometriosis services.
“I want to see more cooperation across unionism. But I believe a revitalised Ulster Unionist Party can provide the sure-footed leadership unionism needs: making Northern Ireland a success, outsmarting Sinn Féin and securing the Union for the long term.
“I’m building a team to serve the people of Northern Ireland, and I would encourage anyone who shares that ambition to join us”, he said.